A Guide to SACD

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by ausamerika

So, is it the quality of the content that makes them not worthwhile? Or was the mastering done poorly?

The additional content provided in the Box Set is not worth the additional dollars.

The mastering on the early albums, it does not add much to the recordings sonically I'm afraid. There's nothing wrong with the multi-channel mix, but it's not anything that could be considerd A-grade material for SACD.

Originally Posted by crackinhedz

quick question, I used your Link to find Invisible Touch.

Now, its got the SACD logo, but some of the tracks listed say "dolby digital" or "dts"...is this really the super audio cd? do they normally use these formats?

The Genesis discs were available in three ways.

1) In North America they're CD/DVD sets, no SACD. They include an NTSC DVD-Video with special features relevant to each disc and the album in multi-channel Dolby Digital 24/48 5.1 and dts 24/96 5.1

In Rest of World:

2) SACD/DVD sets, with an SACD hybrid containing the album in CD, SACD Stereo and SACD Multi-Channel as well as an NTSC Region 0 DVD-Video containing the special features relevant to each disc and the album in multi-channel Dolby Digital 24/48 5.1 and dts 24/96 5.1

3) SACD/DVD sets, with an SACD hybrid containing the album in CD, SACD Stereo and SACD Multi-Channel as well as a PAL Region 0 DVD-Video containing the special features relevant to each disc and the album in multi-channel Dolby Digital 24/48 5.1 and dts 24/96 5.1

The SACD versions I found to be noticeably better than the dts/Dolby versions.

[ausamerika]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

The additional content provided in the Box Set is not worth the additional dollars.

The mastering on the early albums, it does not add much to the recordings sonically I'm afraid. There's nothing wrong with the multi-channel mix, but it's not anything that could be considerd A-grade material for SACD.



The Genesis discs were available in three ways.

1) In North America they're CD/DVD sets, no SACD. They include an NTSC DVD-Video with special features relevant to each disc and the album in multi-channel Dolby Digital 24/48 5.1 and dts 24/96 5.1

In Rest of World:

2) SACD/DVD sets, with an SACD hybrid containing the album in CD, SACD Stereo and SACD Multi-Channel as well as an NTSC Region 0 DVD-Video containing the special features relevant to each disc and the album in multi-channel Dolby Digital 24/48 5.1 and dts 24/96 5.1

3) SACD/DVD sets, with an SACD hybrid containing the album in CD, SACD Stereo and SACD Multi-Channel as well as a PAL Region 0 DVD-Video containing the special features relevant to each disc and the album in multi-channel Dolby Digital 24/48 5.1 and dts 24/96 5.1

The SACD versions I found to be noticeably better than the dts/Dolby versions.

I didn't know that! Acoustic Sounds offers the SACD in their inventory.

[dannyjl]

As a Genesis fan for 31 years I was thrilled to get the 2 SACD box sets this past year and am looking forward to the upcoming 3rd set later this month. I have never enjoyed their music as much as I have listening to these multi channel mixes. The extra disc includes lots of songs that I collected from b side singles / mini cd's and are just as cherished to me as the other material. I think it's a fitting honor that no other group has gotten the superb SACD treatment that Genesis has received. Now, just waiting for the concerts to appear on blu.

[dobyblue]

I thought the Depeche Mode catalogue received better SACD treatment than the Genesis catalogue. For bonus features the Genesis catalogue has been nothing short of excellent though.

Of course for the older albums you are limited to what the source material is.

I thought the fidelity of Duke, Abacab, Genesis, Invisible Touch, etc., was excellent. Wind and Wuthering and Trick of the Tail, not so much.

It's sad that in the US both Genesis and Depeche Mode releases have been sans-SACD.

There is no doubt for a Genesis fan that these are the definitive versions, but a casual fan may not appreciate the earlier albums' sonics quite so much.

[dobyblue]

Originally Posted by ausamerika

I didn't know that! Acoustic Sounds offers the SACD in their inventory.

Yes, they're imports.

I got my 1976-1982 set through HMV Japan and my 1983-1988 set through Acoustic Sounds. Both worked out to around $159 each and I sold them both for $149.

Acoustic Sounds carry both the PAL and NTSC versions of the box sets. Their prices are very good for the box sets which are upwards of $200 elsewhere.

I'll be getting Duke and Invisible Touch separately and I may pick up "Selling England by the Pound" when it comes out also.

I just don't feel any of the first three post-Gabriel albums would be ones you would pick out to show off SACD's capabilities, whereas I'd be quite quick to pull out "Toys in the Attic" by Aerosmith, Billy Joel's "The Stranger" or any of the Elton John SACD's.

[ManUtd]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

It's sad that in the US both Genesis and Depeche Mode releases have been sans-SACD.

I like both bands, especially DM. I remember that the reason for the US releases aren't SACD is simply because of the studios. Something like the US studios supported DVD-Audio while the non-US studios who carry DM for example support SACD. In the end it's for us here in the USA, we have to import them.

[dobyblue]

That would be a correct assesment, because I believe in USA Depeche Mode releases are underneath either the EMI or Warner umbrella, both of which were DVD-A supporters.

You'd think the least they could have done would be to give us an option of a 24/96 MLP 5.1 mix. I find that I am impressed by dts 24/96, but once you go to DSD or DVD-Audio lossless there is a heightened realism and natural sound that just isn't there with lossy dts, even 24/96.

[ausamerika]

Originally Posted by dobyblue

I just don't feel any of the first three post-Gabriel albums would be ones you would pick out to show off SACD's capabilities, whereas I'd be quite quick to pull out "Toys in the Attic" by Aerosmith, Billy Joel's "The Stranger" or any of the Elton John SACD's.

I couldn't agree more. The Stranger is one of my reference discs. Madman Across the Water is too. My favorite, though, is Brothers in Arms. The soundstage on that disc is unbelievable.

[dobyblue]

I can't believe how well Phil Ramone mixed the bass in "The Stranger"

When I'm listening to "Scenes from an Italian Restaurant" I can practically see the bass player when I close my eyes standing in the corner with a massive bass rig just rocking away.

For outstanding fidelity in 5.1, I'm constantly blown away by the track "I Grieve" from Peter Gabriel's "Up". It's an amazingly big sound, an incredibly powerful track and one of those tunes where at the end, you're just a little silenced by the sheer power...of music.

Dire Straits is an excellent surround mix as well. I love the thunderous bass in "The Man's Too Strong".

[dannyjl]

I didn't realize the U.S. releases of the Genesis set were not SACD. I got mine in Japan from Tower and HMV. I must disagree about the comment on the sonic quality of the early post Gabriel disks. I've always considered "Trick of the Tail" to be the finest Genesis recording sound wise and one of rock's finest period.

[dobyblue]

Wow, I think almost every other SACD in my collection is better quality that Trick.

[Big Daddy]

I added additional content to my original post (#1).

[dvda-sacd]

Originally Posted by Big Daddy

SACD uses the CD media

Unless I am misinterpreting these words, this is incorrect. The SACD format uses the DVD media, with a wavelength of 650 nm.

BR,

Leo

[Big Daddy]

Originally Posted by dvda-sacd

Unless I am misinterpreting these words, this is incorrect. The SACD format uses the DVD media, with a wavelength of 650 nm.

BR,

Leo

You are correct. It is a poor choice of words on my part. I meant to say that it is a different format than DVD. I replaced CD Media with Optical Discs.

[cygtr]

I've got a question, maybe one of you guys can help me out. I bought a couple of SACD's to check them out on my PS3 and for some reason they will not play on my TV. Do I have to have a reciever? Right now I am running the PS3 via hdmi directlyto the TV and I am wanting to use the TV for sound. When I try to play the SACD the TV seems like isn't recieving a signal from the PS3. Anyone got any ideas? Thanks,
Cory

[Jodi]

Let's not forget two awesome SACD players from Arcam.

www.arcam.co.uk/prod_diva_DV135_intro.cfm

www.arcam.co.uk/prod_diva_DV137_intro.cfm

Jodi

[Clark Kent]

Originally Posted by cygtr

I've got a question, maybe one of you guys can help me out. I bought a couple of SACD's to check them out on my PS3 and for some reason they will not play on my TV. Do I have to have a reciever? Right now I am running the PS3 via hdmi directlyto the TV and I am wanting to use the TV for sound. When I try to play the SACD the TV seems like isn't recieving a signal from the PS3. Anyone got any ideas? Thanks,
Cory

First off which PS3 do you have? The 40 GB model does not play SACDs at all. You do not need a receiver to play SACDs. A HDMI connection or even an analog stereo connection to your television is fine for two channel SACDs from the PS3. Also check the audio settings in your PS3. You may have unchecked something during channel configuration.

[aryntha]

Anyone who wants to get in on SACD on the cheap - REAL cheap.

$55.00 shipped, cheap:

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...5730&langId=-1


1) Go to Sony Style with the URL above.
2) Do it between Tuesday and Thursday to get the free shipping. (free shipping on everything between Tuesday and Thursday apparently.)
3) Before checkout, enter coupon code "AFFB10" for another 10% off.

bammo. sacd player for 55 bucks shipped. (+/- $1 according to tax...)

Not the highest end machine, but actually based on the 2000ES model (same dacs and boards; Burr-Brown DSD1751 dacs, which while custom-made for sony, seem to have very decent specs.)

... Now if only they'd finally get Pink Floyd "Wish You Were Here" on SACD...

[frenchglen]

Originally Posted by aryntha

Anyone who wants to get in on SACD on the cheap - REAL cheap.

$55.00 shipped, cheap:

http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/...5730&langId=-1


1) Go to Sony Style with the URL above.
2) Do it between Tuesday and Thursday to get the free shipping. (free shipping on everything between Tuesday and Thursday apparently.)
3) Before checkout, enter coupon code "AFFB10" for another 10% off.

bammo. sacd player for 55 bucks shipped. (+/- $1 according to tax...)

Not the highest end machine, but actually based on the 2000ES model (same dacs and boards; Burr-Brown DSD1751 dacs, which while custom-made for sony, seem to have very decent specs.)

... Now if only they'd finally get Pink Floyd "Wish You Were Here" on SACD...

Wow, wish I lived in the US. Wouldn't mind a better SACD player! Doesn't seem to have HDMI (1.2 for digital DSD to receiver) though. Still, it's internal organs are no doubt better than my current universal player!

[Clark Kent]

Here is another good store for hunting rare SACDs and other rare music releases:

http://www.elusivedisc.com/